Director of the Parents Fund

Kent School•Kent, CT

About The Position

The Director of the Parents Fund collaborates with the Director of Advancement and the Director of the Alumni Fund to develop and implement a strategic, comprehensive program to identify, engage, solicit, and steward parents of current students, parents of alumni, and grandparents. The role recruits and manages parent volunteers and helps plan programs and events for these constituencies. The Director works collaboratively with volunteers, donors, colleagues in the Alumni & Development Office, and other departments. This is a full-time, calendar-year, exempt staff position. The schedule must be flexible as needed, including evenings and weekends, and frequent travel is required. The position reports to the Chief Advancement Officer and the Director of Advancement for other assigned duties. The anticipated annual pay range is $67,800–$85,000; the hiring rate generally depends on qualifications, relevant experience, and position requirements. Kent School offers medical and prescription coverage, retirement savings opportunities, life insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, paid holidays, professional development opportunities, and other employee benefits. Housing is not offered. Candidates must successfully complete post-offer, pre-employment criminal background checks and drug tests. Work is performed on a smoke-free campus.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least 5 years of development experience.
Proven track record of successful collaboration with teammates, volunteers, donors, and school leadership, including the Head of School and the Alumni Council.
Experience driving institutional change through an organization’s history using a communicative, collaborative, and inclusive approach.
Fluency with and commitment to the School’s mission.
Ability to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the full range of experience within a development team.
High degree of professional discretion, integrity, good judgment, and professional conduct.
Ability to collaborate actively by soliciting and suggesting new ideas and improving upon others’ ideas.
Superior organizational and planning skills to help the department and School meet short- and long-term goals.
Ability to work a flexible schedule as needed, including evenings and weekends, and to travel frequently.
Successful completion of post-offer, pre-employment criminal background checks and drug tests.

Nice To Haves

Background at an independent boarding school or in higher education.
Experience using databases; Blackbaud NXT is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a strategic fundraising plan for the Kent Parents Fund, serving current parents, parents of alumni, and grandparents.
Draft appeal letters and partner with the Marketing and Communications office on social media, mailings, and other media.
Coordinate with the Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement on cultivation and stewardship events, both on and off campus.
Cultivate, solicit, and steward a portfolio of Parents Fund donors and volunteers.
Complete 5 to 10 face-to-face meetings per month.
Collaborate with alumni giving on strategies to increase support for the Annual Fund and other School priorities through gifts of $1,906 or more to The 1906 Club, Kent’s leadership giving society.
Partner with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, volunteers, and alumni.
Support Alumni & Development team initiatives, including securing gifts and challenges for Kent’s annual day of giving, Gather & Give, and other fundraising initiatives and programming and events.
Travel as needed to meet with volunteers and potential donors.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Advancement Officer and the Director of Advancement.